Shots Ring Out During Westminster Jewelry Store Robbery Attempt

WESTMINSTER (CBSLA.com) — For the third time in two years, a Westminster jewelry store was the scene of a robbery with shots fired early Thursday afternoon.

Police are not saying if the two masked men got away with anything after they smashed display cases, but did say the suspects were met with resistance from someone affiliated with the store. Authorities also would not say who fired the weapon, although CBS2’s Juan Fernandez said he was told the owner of the Tick Tock Fine Watches & Jewelry store in the Asian Garden Mall does know how to use a gun.

Witnesses reported hearing three shots during the incident, and police were analyzing what appeared to be blood near the spot where the suspects parked a van. Police were also reviewing security video.

The jewelry store’s owner opened fire on a thief who fled the shop with an expensive watch on Sept. 13. And on July 30, 2012, the store’s owner thwarted a takeover-style robbery when he shot one of two suspects in the head. The wounded robber survived the shooting.